African Journal of Political Science

African Journal of Political Science ISSN 3461-2165 Vol. 10 (5), pp. 001-011, May, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Challenges in implementing code of conduct within the public sector in Anglophone West African countries: Perspectives from public managers

E- Kojo Sakyi* and Justice Nyigmah Bawole

Department of Public Administration and Health Service Management, University of Ghana Business School, Legon Accra, Ghana.

Accepted 09 January, 2016

Abstract

This paper reports on a focus group study of senior and middle-level public managers’ perceptions about barriers to the implementation of code of conduct in the public sector in five Anglophone West African countries. The paper adopts a qualitative research strategy using focus group interviews for 35 serving senior, middle and junior level manager drawn from the five Anglophone West African Countries of Ghana (8), Nigeria (9), Gambia (7), Liberia (6) and Sierra Leone (5). The study reveals that all the countries are making frantic efforts at improving the ethical conduct of public sector managers through the introduction of various reforms measures including code of conduct as key components. However, the practical application of the code of conduct in public administration remains limited. The reasons for this state of affairs include among others deficiencies in code implementation, lack of exemplary leadership, ineffective reward and punishment system and unsupportive public service organisational culture. Among others, a strong leadership, rigorous application of a reward and punishment system and supporting organizational culture were the noteworthy remedial actions suggested by discussants.

Key words: Implementation, code of conduct, public management, public managers, Anglophone West Africa.